As a Beloved Brother – Philemon

In our previous lesson in Colossians, we discussed Paul’s words to masters and bondservants, a theme which is heavily involved in the short letter to Philemon.  More than that, the letter shows the importance of repentance and forgiveness between brethren.

Forgiveness: “Easy” as 1, 2, 3! – Colossians 3:12-14

As part of the list of things that Christians are to “put on” as we “set our minds on things above,” the apostle Paul lists forgiveness as something that is an absolute must.  In tonight’s lesson we borrow a good amount from Chapter 3 of Bro. Dan Winkler’s excellent book, Forgiven, Forgiving, and Free: The Peace of Living Without a Past.  We recommend going to the link and securing your own copy and reading it; it truly is a wonderful work.

The Day of Jezreel – Hosea 1:10-11

Israel had played the harlot with other gods, and had forsaken the covenant with her God. As a result, God promised punishment, even to “scatter” them among the nations.  But along with that promise also comes the promise of restoration when God would “sow” them in their land again.  And though we know that judgement will come, we also know that there is the opportunity for hope in Jesus Christ.

Let Them Have It – Amos 1-2

It is easy to rejoice when we see God’s justice being served on others.  We might be tempted to say things like “It’s what they deserve,” and “let them have it.”  But it is important that we don’t forget that we also have sins, and that without the blood of Jesus, we too are subject to the justice of God.

The Father Knows

Though I am not a parent, I imagine that most, probably all parents, have had a common experience as they are raising their children.  I’m certain that it happened to my parents more than once. It occurs when a parent knows that their child has done something wrong, but rather than confront a child directly, the parents ask questions in an effort to get the child to confess the wrong that they have don

Maybe it is a young child who is still learning that trying to hide his wrongdoing by lying is never a good idea. Or maybe it is a teenager who thinks that she got away with something, that mom and dad will never know, only to find out that mom and dad knew all along. Perhaps the lesson being taught is that when we have done wrong, it is better to own up to it, rather than try to conceal.

 This very phenomenon happens twice in the early chapters of the Bible.  First in Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit, and their eyes are opened to their nakedness.  Though God certainly knows what has happened, he still asks them in verse 11, “Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” Then in Chapter 4, after Cain has murdered his brother, God simply asks Cain in verse 9, “Where is Abel your brother?”

Though God knows their sins, he still gives them the opportunity to admit the wrong that they have done. And we should notice that there is a difference in their responses.  Though both Adam and Eve try to deflect blame to someone else, they both still admit that they had indeed done that which God had commanded them not to do (Gen. 3:12-13). Cain, however, commits further sin by lying.  When asked, “Where is Abel your brother,” Cain replies, “I do not know.” (Gen. 4:9). God quickly reveals that he had known all along what had happened.

Looking at the aftermath of each sin, whose punishment was more severe?  Though cursed by God for their evil, and ultimately kicked out of the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve still seemed to maintain some form of a relationship with God, since their children had some knowledge of the Lord at the beginning of Chapter 4.  Cain, however, is cursed to be a fugitive and vagabond upon the earth and would go out from the presence of the Lord (4. 12, 16).

 In some ways, what God expects of us when we do wrong hasn’t really changed.  If we will confess our sin, though there may still be consequences, we will ultimately still be able to have a relationship with God. But if we try to hide what we have done, as though we can hide anything from God; if we refuse to confess that we have done wrong and make corrections, God’s punishment will be severe indeed, and we will be forever banished from the presence of the Lord.

Remember the words of the apostle John:

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.  (1Jn 1:8-10 ESV)

God is merciful and willing to forgive us our sins. But we must be willing to confess, to own up to our misdeeds. May God bless us all as we seek to do his will, and may we walk in the light, as he is in the light, and to God be the glory.

Image by Jeff Jacobs from Pixabay

Confess Your Sins – 1 John 1:9

It’s not easy to be open and honest about our shortcomings, but it is of absolute necessity if we are going to be forgiven of sin.  This study focuses on the need of recognizing our sins, being honest about them, and being willing to confess to God that we recognize we have done wrong.  In a future lesson we will focus on the importance of confessing to one another.

Guilty of an Eternal Sin? – Mark 3:28-29

Is there a sin that cannot be forgiven?  If you committed a certain sin before you came to Jesus, is your faith all for nothing?  Jesus’ words in Mark 3 have been a cause of fear for many people. But a better understanding of the text will help us see what Jesus means in the text.

The Son of Man Lifted Up – John 3:14-18

When Jesus spoke with Nicodemus in John 3, he referenced a story in Numbers that foreshadowed his mission.  In this morning’s lesson we look to understand how the serpent in the wilderness pointed to the coming of Christ, and his saving us from our sins.

He Bore Our Sins – Hebrews 9:11-14

The Day of Atonement was a day of paramount importance for God’s ancient people.  But that day was but a shadow of the better sacrifice that was to come, one which provided full and complete forgiveness of sins. 

Our Passover – Exodus 12:1-13

In Exodus we read of the origins of the Passover festival, and the role that the Passover lamb played in the protection of Israel from the plague of death that ravaged Egypt.  In the New Testament, Paul refers to Christ as “our Passover” (1 Cor. 5), and as we consider God’s Word together, we look at some parallels that can be drawn between Christ and the Passover Lamb of old.